Watch Dogs represents a step into a scary real-world future. It raises social and governmental questions around a person's right to privacy. It delivers combat, stealth, story, and an incredible amount of side content to bring the whole world to life. I'm amazed at what the team at Ubisoft has delivered here, and I'm glad that they treated the hacker world with more respect and attention to detail than any other game or movie to date. I'm hopeful that Watch Dogs becomes a franchise because it is the best sandbox title I've ever played.
I'm surprised at just how much MachineGames has done to bring the Wolfenstein franchise into a new generation. Balanced gameplay, a memorable story, characters with depth, and more than two dozen hours of content scratch a shooter itch that has been long dormant. Wolfenstein: The New Order delivers an experience well beyond my expectations, elevating this venerable series not only into a new generation, but raising the bar for story-driven shooters as a whole. Well done, MachineGames, well done indeed.
This next-generation launch has been described as a little anemic, but I'd have to disagree. There are some incredible games hitting the market this holiday season, and this is one of them. The PlayStation 4 version of the game is mechanically the same as the PlayStation 3 version, but the new engine is eye-poppingly awesome. The new visual tech has gameplay implications, which is rare and highly appreciated. In the end you really can't go wrong with either version, but the PlayStation 4 version has entirely too many bells and whistles to not recommend. The fact that I've had a bout of OCD and needed to find each and every thing in the game speaks volumes.
It doesn't take but a glance upwards at the last near-1500 words to see that Reaper of Souls is far more than a single character and a new chapter expansion. So much has changed, and literally all for the better. By taking the chains off of the game mechanics, removing the disruptive Auction House, and refining the game mechanics that serve as the base of Diablo III, Reaper of Souls is finally the loot-grabbing adventure we all wanted.
With agonizing decisions in an unforgiving Viking-inspired setting, The Banner Saga mixes strategic gameplay with choices that truly matter. .
Whether you are defending a trash barge, grinding a dragon spine, or flinging bowling balls at exploding enemies, Sunset Overdrive is pure insanity – just how I like it. Come for the crazy, stay for the fourth-wall-breaking fun.
If you are a fan of old school games like Mega Man, this may be the easiest purchase you ever make. JumpJet Rex's new-school approach to old school platforming, and the addition of the time trial elements and collection itch to scratch, this game is an absolutely must-have.
Grey Goo wildly exceeds all expectations for presentation and gameplay. While there are a few issues with cheating and infinite units in single player, the multiplayer is rock solid. The Goo itself presents an all-new twist to the RTS world, and any fan of the genre should experience it. Grey Goo is the best RTS title I've played in a very long time.
So back to the original posit that this newest generation of consoles is filling up with HD remakes. At a cost of $1.99 per track times ten tracks, you are essentially getting the game for free and the tracks at half price. This update to the Xbox One costs less than two cups of coffee and is far more than just a new coat of paint. Come for the new and improved features, stay for the far better soundtrack.
Rebuilt in every way, and unlocking the entire Gears franchise for a value-conscious price, this truly is the Ultimate Edition of Gears of War. Curb stomping is as fun as you remember, but with this much of a rebuild, you have every reason to experience it all over again.
While not revolutionary in terms of storytelling, Bethesda is still the king of interactivity. Fallout 4 delivers on that interactivity in so many forms, it's mind boggling. Crafting, modification, and stronghold building trump a few nagging technical hitches. New enemy AI, coupled with an overhauled combat system, creates gunplay that feels better than ever before. Fallout 4 may be an iterative step forward for the series, but it is every bit what RPG fans know, love, and expect. Just play it on the PC, if you can.
Remedy swung for the fences and hit a homerun with Quantum Break. With an engrossing story, an amazing cast, and the most beautiful visuals on the Xbox One we've ever seen, Quantum Break is a masterpiece.
With improvements in literally every area, Forza Motorsport 6 positions itself as the absolute best racer on the market. There are a few oil leaks, but when compared to the upgrades, they are easier to ignore. Come for the incredible racing and showcases, stay for the best rain physics in any game, ever.
With over 13,000 changes to the base product, a graphical overhaul, and a bevy of UI additions, Divinity: Original Sin Enhanced Edition improves on the original release in every way. There are a few hiccups in translation, but they are minor bumps in the road for this incredible RPG.
Guitar Hero Live gives us an offline first-person rock-and-roll fantasy, but it's Guitar Hero TV that gives this series new life. The new guitar gives veterans new challenges while breaking down the barrier to entry for new players. While the on-disc tracks are, in my opinon, throwaway, Guitar Hero TV should keep players busy for a long time to come.
It's strange to be this excited about the singleplayer portion of game from id Software, but here we are. While multiplayer doesn't scratch the itch the way something like Quake Arena once did, the power of Snap Map puts the power to fix that entirely in the hands of intrepid and creative players. Doom has resurrected not only a series, but an entire flavor of shooters. Welcome back, unapologetic high-speed murder — we missed you.
It is rare when the sequel surpasses its predecessor, but XCOM 2 does it with style and verve. Unlike grenades in Enemy Unknown, everything in XCOM 2 matters. Choices have purpose, lives are no longer trivial. Maps no longer repeat, and neither do outcomes. XCOM 2 is punishing, but that just makes success taste that much sweeter.
There are very few games that consume me like this. Frontier has made a game where obsession over every detail is somehow fun. While there are a few elements that need improvement, such as the staff management and some much-needed heat maps or location services, Planet Coaster delivers in terms of rollercoaster customization and sandbox flexibility. Let inspiration be your guide and check out this incredible thrill ride.
StarCraft II Legacy of the Void is the culmination of years of improvements. Archon and co-op modes provide a stair step for new players and veterans alike to rejoin the multiplayer ranks, whereas the incredibly strong single player ties up the story arc nicely. While most sequels don't feel the freedom to innovate, Blizzard has done exactly that, making the venerable series feel fresh and new.
A bevy of incredible technical advancements offer vast improvements in some areas and minor ones in others. With a highly variable framerate, it's clear more optimization is needed, but the game is highly playable on a variety of settings and hardware levels. The Xbox One version is no slouch, but if you've got the kit to run it, this is the ultimate edition you've been waiting for.